"The golden thread you can only gain inside the royal palace. The possibility to even see the thread is low," Sung explained, his tone grave.
Young's expression hardened. "That is too dangerous. Besides- we are not sure if we really need the golden thread, yet," he voiced his concerns, his voice tinged with worry.
Taesoo nodded in agreement. "But it should still be better than doing nothing. We may need some time to make sure the key is that golden cord. But the delay may cause Lady Diana to be trapped in Chosun forever," he reasoned, his voice laced with urgency.
Diana's heart sank at the thought. "Trapped in Chosun forever...? No, that cannot happen. I must return to Seoul! I mean- the place where I'm originally from!" she declared, her voice filled with determination.
Sung's expression softened with sympathy. "...For now, we will search for other ways to find the golden thread. But you must keep in mind that you may have to enter the palace on official matters. You, my lady, are the most likely person to enter the palace as Royal Tailor and get the golden thread," he explained, his tone reassuring.
Diana nodded solemnly. "...I understand. This should be very much different from sneaking into the building... But I belong in Seoul, not Hanyang. I should never forget that," she affirmed, her voice resolute.
Sung's eyes were filled with remorse. "I am terribly sorry for putting you in trouble," he apologized sincerely.
Young stepped forward, determination in his eyes. "Me, and my men will do our best so you could return to your place, Seoul," he pledged, his voice firm with resolve.
Taesoo's reassuring words eased some of the weight off Diana's shoulders. "You need not to worry so much, Lady Diana," he said with a gentle smile.
"Thank you all. I will do my best in my part, too. And first- we need to find a way to get the golden cord as soon as possible," Diana declared, her voice filled with determination.
As they reached the old mansion, Lord Sung and Taesoo bid farewell, heading back to the palace. Diana and Young made their way inside, opting to stay at her master's place temporarily for safety reasons.
Diana pondered their situation. "Hmm... I shouldn't be calling them by their names now, can I?" she mused aloud, feeling the weight of the circumstances.
Young, ever perceptive, noticed her unease. "My lady? What are you talking about?" he inquired, his voice gentle and reassuring.
Realizing her slip, Diana quickly shook her head. "Huh? Oh, I didn't mean-..." she trailed off, feeling a pang of guilt for her carelessness.
"You have not done anything wrong. Please, do not blame yourself, my lady," Young reassured her, his tone soft yet firm.
Diana couldn't help but feel touched by his kindness. "Okay, I have not done anything wrong," she affirmed, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Young's next words caught her off guard, his sincerity shining through. "Good. I cannot know all your thoughts, but... I hope I could share your burdens and lift them off your shoulders," he confessed earnestly.
Diana couldn't help but be charmed by his genuine concern. "Oh my, what a charming guy with such lovely words... Either he learned it from somewhere, or he's just a natural," she thought to herself, feeling a warmth spread through her despite the uncertainty of their situation.
Diana felt a surge of gratitude as she thanked Young. "Thank you, master Young," she expressed sincerely. His words had provided her with a much-needed sense of comfort. She couldn't imagine navigating this unfamiliar world without his support.
As she chuckled at her own joke, Young met her gaze with a profound intensity, his touch gentle as he straightened her hanbok collar.
"The air is quite chilly. You should keep warm in case you catch a cold. And you should feed yourself well and full," Young advised, his concern evident in his words.
Diana smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Young. You should, too," she returned the sentiment, mindful of his well-being as well.
In the days that followed, Diana continued her routine of opening and closing the atelier gate with Lord Sung. However, each time she hoped to see the familiar sights of Seoul beyond the doors, she was met with the same old road of Hanyang.
"So... I guess the only answer is the 'golden cord' then?" Diana mused to herself one day as she swept the mansion's yard, awaiting Taesoo's visit.
Not long after, Taesoo arrived, accompanied by an unexpected guest. But it wasn't just any guest—Diana was taken aback to see the striking resemblance between the newcomer and her dear friend Mina.
Diana's astonishment was palpable as she addressed Taesoo. "Oh, hey. I see you're here, Taesoo. Huh? And who is that with you-...? Wh-what........?!"
A woman emerged from behind Taesoo, offering a polite greeting. "I'm pleased to meet you, ma'am!"
Diana's jaw dropped at the sight of the newcomer. She couldn't contain her shock.
Taesoo attempted to explain. "I was as surprised as you, my lady. She looks similar to the woman I caught a glimpse of when the gate doors showed the world of Seoul."
Diana struggled to comprehend. "B-but, even if you say so... This is not just simply 'looking similar'..."
The woman interjected, confused by the exchange. "Uhm, I do not follow your conversation- sir, ma'am."
Diana couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity. "Her face, voice, and tone... They all resemble Mina identically! As if this woman was Mina's past life....?"
Taesoo suggested a course of action. "First, you should introduce yourself to the lady."
The woman introduced herself as Soyong San, a member of the Royal Tailors. "Oh, right. I am Soyong San, working in the Royal Tailors. I was sent here by his Highness, the Crown Prince. I heard a lady needs my help, but... Maybe I am not so welcomed here...?"
Diana mustered up her courage before replying to Soyong. "N-no, his Highness is right! I need your help, Mina-, I mean... Soyong...! I'm very pleased to meet you!"
Soyong responded hesitantly. "...Yes- I am, too, my lady. But... To what am I assigned to help...?"
Diana glanced at Taesoo for reassurance before answering.
"Actually... I hope you could help me settle well in the Royal Tailors."
After days of contemplation, Diana made the decision to enter the palace and work in the Royal Tailors.
Sung expressed concern. "Are you sure about this...?"
Diana affirmed her decision. "Yes. Well, when will I ever work in the palace of Chosun if not now? I want to turn this obstacle into an opportunity to learn more. Honestly, I'm not sure if I could make a remarkable contribution in there. So you need to keep on searching for other ways for me to go back!"
Sung nodded understandingly. "...I see. Well, this is more like you, Lady Diana. I suppose this is why I love you so much."
Diana chuckled at Sung's comment. "Ooo-kay, the last words can be misleading... but sure."
With Lord Sung's assistance, Diana was able to secure a position as a needlework attendant in the Royal Tailors. As luck would have it, the new year brought an abundance of work to the Royal Tailors, and Diana's new partner bore a striking resemblance to Mina. It seemed fate had a peculiar way of weaving its threads.
Diana couldn't help but feel a mix of anxiety and excitement as she prepared to embark on her new journey. Her heart pounded with anticipation, unsure of what lay ahead. However...
In the bustling corridors of the Royal Tailors' Yard, amidst the flurry of requests and the whirl of fabric, Diana found herself caught in a whirlwind of demands.
"Hey, Diana! I ran out of blue threads! Please go get me some!" one voice called out.
"Oh, me, too! I need the jade colored one!" another chimed in.
"Oopsie, I'm sorry! It's the mustard yellow color that I needed...!" a third voice admitted sheepishly.
Diana, a successful young CEO who ran a Hanbok atelier in Seoul, couldn't help but wonder why she, of all people, was relegated to the role of an assistant, running errands for the attendants and officers of the Royal Tailors.
"Hey Diana! When you're done over there, come and lend me a hand, too!" yet another voice called out.
"Attendant Diana? Where are you?" someone else hollered.
With a resigned sigh, Diana muttered to herself, "*Sigh*...Alright," as she begrudgingly shouldered the burden of a basketful of silk and cloths. Even a stray cat passing by could sense the territorial abuse permeating the air. But Diana was determined; she would show them who truly held the power.
As she navigated the labyrinthine hallways, burdened by her load, Diana crossed paths with Soyong, a sympathetic soul amidst the chaos.
"Wow, Diana... You're a tough one. Is this the Chayeon Ahn and her friends' doing? They are mean. Here, pass me some of the load," Soyong offered, her voice filled with understanding.
Diana nodded gratefully, accepting the assistance. "Well, they might not like the new face, who hasn't proven any skills yet," she confessed, her tone tinged with frustration.
"But you need to finish your task first! Are you working on it, Diana?" Soyong inquired, her eyes filled with concern.
"Of course, I am! I'm doing my best on that work!" Diana affirmed, determination shining in her eyes.
The task at hand was no simple matter; it was the first assignment bestowed upon Diana since she had entered the hallowed halls of the Tailors. Her mission: to craft a hanbok fit for an old court lady on the brink of retirement. And with every stitch, Diana vowed to prove her worth and carve out her place amidst the chaos of the Royal Tailors' Yard.
Diana's mind raced as she considered the gravity of her current task. "I hear the court lady is a trusted woman of the Queen herself, and her Highness ordered this task for the court lady. I need to prove myself worthy of this job...! Although I did go through a sewing test before I entered the Royal Tailors, many are still doubting my skill..."
Despite her confident words, doubts gnawed at her like relentless pests. "You never know until you open the box! But despite my confident words......" Diana trailed off, her frustration palpable.
"How can they give me never-ending work of chores?!!?!!!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing off the stone walls of the palace.
As she meticulously folded fabric and arranged threads, Diana couldn't help but notice the laziness of some of her colleagues. "They never lift their own bums off the chair! Ha! Hmph..." she muttered under her breath. Despite her annoyance, she begrudgingly admitted that the breathtaking view of the palace grounds softened her resentment. "I'm only letting them off the hook because the palace view is unbelievably beautiful. Its size and atmosphere are majestic and dignifying, incomparable to the palace left in my present time."
Lost in her thoughts, Diana's reverie was abruptly interrupted by the realization of an approaching figure. "Oh my goodness, Lord Sung?!" she gasped, her heart leaping into her throat. Panic surged through her veins as she contemplated her next move. "I-I-I should go and hide somewhere. I don't know why I'm hiding, but I feel like I must."
With a sudden burst of adrenaline, Diana turned on her heel, only to collide with a man in her haste to escape.
Diana's heart raced as she stammered out an apology, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"I-I'm sorry, sir!" she managed to squeak out, her gaze cast downward.
As she dared to meet the stranger's eyes, she was met with an unexpected sight.
"...I'm sorry. Are you okay?" the man inquired, his voice soft with concern.
With a loosened smile on his face, the man extended a hand to help Diana to her feet.
"...Yes, I think," Diana replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
As the man turned to leave with a curt bow, Diana couldn't help but steal a glance at his retreating figure. "I think I saw the frown flashing upon his face for a moment... I guess my eyes are tricking me. Because... he's looking so hot. Yeap, cute and hot guys are everywhere in this palace. And with that royal robe on him, Lord Sung truly... Looks dazingly awesome..."
Suddenly, a voice broke through her reverie.
"Who is?" taesoo interjected.
Diana's eyes widened in surprise as she realized she was not alone. "Well, Lord Sung, of course- ...Oh?" she trailed off as she caught sight of taesoo.
"I can see the love pouring out of your eyes, miss," the taesoo remarked, a playful smirk playing at the corners of his lips.
Diana bristled at the accusation. "Wh-what are you talking about?"
"You, ma'am. You! A woman named Diana Han!"  taesoo teased, his tone light.
"...Hmph! Whatever! You shouldn't jump out- out of nowhere! Besides, why are you even here?" Diana retorted, her irritation evident.
As realization dawned on her, she took note of the taesoo attire. "Oh wait, come to think of it, his outfit looks a bit...Ah, right... He's a scholar attending the Sungkyunkwan," she mused silently.
"Well... Yeah, you don't look so bad," Diana admitted begrudgingly, her cheeks tinged with pink.
"What?!" the taesoo exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief.
"Anyhow-seeing you inside the palace sure feels a little different from before! Didn't you miss me--?" Diana teased, a broad smile playing on her lips as she gazed at Taesoo.
The shy man's cheeks flushed crimson as he pouted his lips and avoided her gaze, a bashful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"So... what were you doing here, by the way?" Taesoo inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"Oh, actually I was-" Diana began, launching into a recount of her recent days as she filled Taesoo in on her activities.
Unexpectedly, Taesoo offered to help her with her chores as they chatted, and before she knew it, he was accompanying her to the Tailors as the evening approached.
"Hmm? Seems like everyone returned to their dorms," Taesoo observed casually as they entered the Tailors' workshop.
Diana followed his gaze, her heart sinking as she spotted her desk. "...What?" she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper.
The hanbok she had been painstakingly crafting lay in tatters on the rack, ripped to shreds.
"Lady Diana... Are you okay?" Taesoo asked, concern evident in his voice as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"...No. I don't think I am," Diana replied, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion. "The task is due tomorrow. And this... only makes me- get pissed off."
"Oh, wow. How can anyone do this? Is this person even human? This has an obvious purpose, jeez...!" Diana exclaimed, her voice tinged with frustration as she surveyed the wreckage of her painstakingly crafted hanbok.
She gingerly picked up the torn patches, her heart sinking with each piece she retrieved.
"But, hey... Don't you have other things to attend? Why are you still here?" Diana questioned, her voice tinged with confusion as she turned to face Taesoo.
"What, would you want me to leave?" Taesoo countered, his expression unreadable.
Diana's gaze wandered around the Royal Tailor's hall, taking in the strange surroundings and the weight of the situation sinking in. It was a strange place, a strange situation, and a strange problem. And with each passing moment, memories of her home world began to unravel in her mind.
"Stay," Diana whispered, her voice barely above a whisper, her vulnerability laid bare.
"Lady?" Taesoo's voice was filled with uncertainty as he processed her request.
"I know this sounds silly, but... You know what...? I really miss my home..." Diana admitted, her voice breaking as tears welled up in her eyes.
"It's okay. It's all okay, Diana," Taesoo reassured her, his words a soothing balm to her battered soul.
As his kindness washed over her, Diana felt the floodgates open, and tears poured down her cheeks uncontrollably.
"Gawd... I can't look up..." she muttered, her voice choked with emotion as she struggled to compose herself.
"Well... I'm guessing your face is a mess right now," Taesoo remarked, a teasing glint in his eyes.
Diana bristled at his comment, her anger flaring. "Hey, what?!" she retorted, shooting him a glare.
Watching her reaction, Taesoo couldn't help but smile as he gently tapped her nose. "Your nose is red," he observed, his tone softening.
"...Come on, I just cried. It always gets red when I cry," Diana grumbled, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"That's cute," Taesoo replied with a chuckle, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
"...What?" Diana blinked in confusion, taken aback by his unexpected compliment.
"...Have I said anything?" Taesoo replied coyly, his smile widening.
"Uh... I think so," Diana replied, her confusion growing.
"Khm... Anyhow, about the task you're on. You said you're making a hanbok for a court lady who is retiring? Is the court lady's name, perhaps, Ohkbun Choi...?" Taesoo inquired, his voice taking on a serious tone.
"Huh...? Yes, that's the lady! Do you know her well?" Diana asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Just like I thought... She was the nanny who cared for His Highness Sung Lee. And she stayed in his palace to assist him throughout all these years," Taesoo explained.
"For real?!" Diana gasped, her eyes widening in astonishment.
"Yes. I didn't know she was retiring soon, though... Only the rumors hinted at it. Well, I know her taste. And-. You should know about the famous old poem- loved by the court ladies in the royal palace," Taesoo said, his voice lowering as he leaned in closer, a secretive glint in his eyes.
Taesoo's voice resonated through the hall, each word carrying the weight of centuries-old tradition and longing.
"O, carps in the pond, who caged thee upon? Leaving the vast northern streams, flowing into this confined dreams. Entering the pond with no way other. You and I are mirror to another," Taesoo recited, his tone solemn and reverent.
"... This should help you to understand the feelings of the court ladies who devoted their lives to the royal palace," he explained, his gaze fixed on Diana with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.
An idea sparked in Diana's mind like a bolt of lightning, illuminating the darkness of her despair.
"Hey, Taesoo...You finally sound like a real scholar," Diana remarked, a smile playing on her lips as she regarded him with newfound respect.
"What, I never sounded like a scholar before?" Taesoo replied, his brows furrowing in mock offense.
"Duh, I told you. I thought you were a delinquent," Diana teased, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.
"Jeez, why can't you be nice for once?" Taesoo retorted, his lips quirking up in a playful grin.
"Well, I meant it in a good way! I now have a great idea, all thanks to you," Diana declared, her excitement bubbling over.
"And, may I ask what that is?" Taesoo inquired, his curiosity piqued.
With a confident smile and a thumbs up, Diana replied, "You'll see once it's done."
And so, she spent the night tirelessly crafting the hanbok dress from scratch, pouring her heart and soul into every stitch. And as the first rays of dawn kissed the sky, she presented her creation to Taesoo with bated breath.
"...So? What do you think?" Diana asked, her voice trembling with anticipation.
"...Do you want an honest comment, my lady?" Taesoo replied, his expression unreadable.
"Yes, very much," Diana replied eagerly, her heart pounding in anticipation.
"To tell the truth...This is fantastic," Taesoo declared, his voice filled with genuine admiration.
"Really? Do you mean it? Ah, that's a relief!" Diana exclaimed, relief flooding her veins as she gazed at her creation with newfound pride.
With overflowing joy, she couldn't resist the urge to embrace the man in front of her, though she couldn't help but wonder if such displays were appropriate in Chosun.
As she wrapped her arms around him, she felt his body tense in surprise.
"Uhm, s-sorry...!" Diana stammered, suddenly self-conscious.
But instead of pulling away, Taesoo returned the embrace, his arms wrapping around her in a tight hug.
"You've done great," he murmured, his voice warm and reassuring.
Caught in the moment, Diana couldn't quite discern whether his praise was for the dress or for her bold action. But in that moment, it didn't matter.
"Thank you," Diana whispered, her gratitude overflowing as she leaned against him, seeking solace in his sturdy presence.
For now, she would allow herself this small indulgence, a reward for the long, tiring night and the triumph of her creation. And so, they stood locked in a tender embrace, the world around them fading into insignificance as they savored the fleeting moment of connection.